I'm painting scenes from around the area I live in. So many beautiful spots. This one is right at the entrance to our development. Anyway, the question. Remember, it's a work in progress. My wife says that the bush closest to the foreground is distracting. I agree with her, sometimes, about my work. But not this time. I could be wrong. Is it? I don't want to change the scene on one opinion. The bush is therein real life, but that doesn't mean it can't go if need be. Opinions are welcome, please.

Hi Pooch. I sure do not agree with Carl or your wife, at all. Since they are there, and that is what you are seeing and painting, why on earth would you remove them? They look just fine to me. If you took them out there would be nothing left to " balance" but a lateral line of distant trees. Unless that was your objective, ( and apparently it was not), " stay the course"! As an old friend once reminded me," You are the artist".

.. so where did you end up doing Pooch? I personally, liked the asymmetry, it didn't appear imbalanced to me. But that's just me.Would very much love to see the AFTER picture, if it is any different though.

It is a lovely painting, but I do think a balancing element to the right of center would help. How about an egret - I think the white would also help balance out all the green and natural colors. The bottom line is that you are the one that needs to be pleased with it.

I say, "what the hell, Ballance isn't everything". The way I'm understanding this piece is that this is an actual place that you have painted and if I were to walk out to this area, this is what I would see. So in my opinion it's perfect the way it is and a quite lovely piece it is. But if it really bothers you, one suggestion, for your next piece. Go out to the area you want to paint and maybe take photos from different angles. Pick one of the photos. Now if you don't want to paint from the photo you picked go back out to the area and set up using the angle from that photo and paint your new piece. Personally I think the brush adds a character that makes it interesting to look at, with out this brush the piece would look kind of plain and boring. To prove my point, look at the discussion the the brush has sparked here. PS don't cut down the brush, there is no better artist than Mother Nature so leave her canvas alone.